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Multi-Million Pound 'Spy In The Sky' Watchkeeper Programme Announced |
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Latest Security News -
Ministry Of Defence News
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Wednesday, 20 July 2005 |
Defence Secretary John Reid today gave the green light to the Watchkeeper UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Programme, the UK Armed Forces' new 'spy in the sky'.
He said:
"Watchkeeper is the key to battlefield surveillance of the future. The new UAVs will be able to stay in the air for much longer than conventional aircraft, and will provide all-weather coverage by day and by night.
"UAVs are a key part of the future vision for our Armed Forces. They allow high-quality imagery of the battlefield to be passed to commanders quickly, enabling them to deliver more precise and decisive effect with greater accuracy. In addition, they improve operational effectiveness through their contribution to Network Enabled Capability."
"The contract with Thales UK will be worth around £700 million and is expected to create or sustain up to 2000 high-quality manufacturing jobs in the UK. With export success this could rise further. The aim is to bring Watchkeeper into service from 2010."
Lt Col Nick Fitzgerald, CO 32 Regt. said:
"Watchkeeper will be a remarkable system and an exciting prospect for 32 Regt Royal Artillery, the Army's UAV Regiment. The system dramatically increases the utility of UAVs for intelligence gathering and targeting, allowing us to operate longer, at greater distances, and to a much higher degree of accuracy than ever before. The synergy of this outstanding system and the Regiment's operational experience over the last 7 years will bring a step change in our contribution to defence capability."
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